Chapter 5
five
T hank God for the copious amount of whiskey. I’d be freezing without it coursing through my veins, even with my ski jacket zipped up to my nose. Our raised voices echo through the parking lot, bouncing off the snowbanks lining the roads.
In the end, we couldn’t think of anything better to dare them with, but Bunny threatened to dismember us if they stripped down in front of her bar. So, here we are. Walking down the middle of Main Street, not a car in sight. But the hilarity of their situation doesn’t lessen any without an audience. I’m pretty sure that’s the booze talking, though.
“Alright, you two. Bare it all, but you can keep your boots. Down to the gas station and back.”
“I hate you,” Jennifer shouts, glaring back at us.
“Love you, too,” I yell back, tripping over my feet and crashing into Zach.
“Woah there. Someone should have been cut off sooner.”
“Oh, shut it. That was nothing compared to how I used to down them sophomore year.” But he doesn’t let go, securing me tightly to his side.
“Just to be safe, then,” he whispers, peering down at me.
I’m not short by any means, five nine barefoot on flat ground, and I’m used to being eye to eye with the guys I hook up with. It doesn’t bother me, usually, but the six inches Zach has on me makes me crane my neck back to look him in the eyes.
Something shifts around us; the yelps from our friends as they strip out of their clothes are forgotten. It’s dark out, the only light coming from a couple of houses' porch lights that reflect helpfully off the snow. Yet, I can still see his eyes darken the longer we stare at each other.
“Koda,” he sighs, unzipping my jacket to my collarbones.
“Zach, I.” But he doesn’t wait to hear what I have to say.
His lips are tentative, pushing into mine with a hesitation I didn’t expect from someone as cocky as he typically is. The gentleness still lights up my core, a tightness uncoiling to send sparks of electricity through my veins. A needy whine escapes from my throat, disappearing into the wind whipping around us.
He must not miss it because the groan that rumbles in his chest and the way his kisses turn desperate have me weak in the knees, or that could be the alcohol getting to my head. Either way, I need more. Want more.
“Holy shit,” Luke says, crashing into us.
The words are harsh in my ears, breaking us apart unwillingly. Zach’s arm tightens around my back, not letting me escape. Not that I had any plans to.
“Were you guys even paying attention?” Jennifer’s irritation is evident as her feet slow to a stop where the rest of us are standing around.
“Oops, I’m sure you guys did a great job.” I try to placate.
“We were a little busy,” Zach cracks. Dropping a quick kiss on my forehead.
The nudists pull on their clothes quickly, throwing us the dirtiest looks with each new layer, the night’s obviously at its close but I’m not ready to say goodnight to Zach.
“We should probably get out of the cold.”
“No, shit. I’m pretty sure my nipples could etch glass at this point. I’m out fuckers.” Jennifer flips us off and turns to leave. She makes it two feet before she turns over her shoulder. “Are you coming, asshat?”
“Hell, yes. See you later, man. Koda.” He winks and slaps the hand Jen holds outstretched for him.
“I should probably get back, too.”
“Or you could come back to mine. My parents won’t be up until later this week.”
There isn’t a hesitant bone in my body when I say, “Let’s go, then.”
Zach didn’t drive either and his cabin’s just a bit further than my walk home would have been. I’m shivering up a storm when he shoves the front door open. The thick wood crashes against the wall behind it.
I shuck my jacket, hanging it on the coat tree, while I toe off my boots and line them underneath. It’s been a few years since I’ve been to Zach’s family’s cabin, but just like ours, nothing’s changed. His dad does well in the real estate world, and it shows here.
Their place isn’t a family spot passed down generations. They built it back when we were in middle school. Zach, quickly linked up with Luke since his place is just down the street. Ever since, Zach’s been a part of our group.
His fingers tangle in mine, pulling me toward the living room. It’s dimly lit, with only a few lamps in our path. The open space allows enough glow to see where we’re going.
“Do you want something to drink?” He pauses as we round the corner into the kitchen.
I could probably drink an entire water bottle right now, but I only want one thing. Shoving Zach against the fridge, something clatters to the floor, ignored by us.
“What I want is for you to take me upstairs, strip my clothes off, and fuck me until we can’t feel the cold in our bones anymore.”
“Maybe I should turn the AC on,” he teases.
I smack him across the chest in a playful jest. “Room, now,” I demand.
He’s quick to push me away, bending over to shoulder my middle before I’m thrown over his broad one, ass in the air. The fast movement does nothing to help the whirling of the room. I close my eyes and enjoy the feel of his tight backside in my hands.
The groping gets him moving up the stairs two at a time. It’s not long before I’m flung onto his soft mattress, twice the size of mine. It has me stretching out, enjoying every bit of the extension. A deep rumble of appreciation vibrates in my chest.
“That’d be a lot better if you were naked.”
“You should get to work on that then.”
A lustful hunger darkens his gaze at the open invitation. Rushed steps close the space between where he was standing near the bed to where he now kneels against the mattress between my wide-open legs.
His hands are rough as they pop the button open on my jeans and slide them down my legs, chucking them carelessly behind him. It’s in complete contrast to the way he glides his fingertips slowly up my bare legs. He stops, resting his grip on the bottom of my sweater, eyes searching mine for more approval.
I nod, eager to be naked, and feel his skin on mine. I wonder if I subconsciously knew that I’d end up going home with someone tonight. The forethought to throw on the red lace-trimmed bra and matching panties makes the moment my sweater pulls free worth the awe in his eyes.
“Holy shit, Koda. You’ve been hiding under snow gear for far too long.”
His appreciation skyrockets my confidence, which runs high from the whiskey. There’s no doubt he likes what he sees. The obscene dick print in his jeans is a dead giveaway. My mouth waters, excited to get my lips around him.
“Your turn. Show me whatcha got.”